WORKS on the new one-way-system close to the cathedral in Letterkenny may not be completed before the start of the new school term.
Mayor of Letterkenny and Milford Municipal District, Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly visited the site last week where work is ongoing to change the traffic flow from St Eunan’s Cathedral to St Colmcille National School, St Eunan’s College and Scoil Mhuire gan Smál.
Speaking to the Donegal News Cllr Kelly said residents of Convent Road and College Road have contacted him with concerns about the works.
After visiting the area with the Council’s Roads Engineer Cllr Kelly raised a number of his own concerns, in particular surrounding the pedestrian crossing at the back gate of the Convent.
He said as vehicles come around the one-way-system from the Cathedral heading towards the boys’ school there is a blind spot being obstructed by shrubbery.
He has asked that this shrubbery be cut back to improve visibility as this is a busy junction.
He has also requested the inclusion of a handrail on the footpath and a raised platform on the pedestrian crossing to slow down cars.
“The footpath has been widened for students walking to and from school but that means it has narrowed the roadway for vehicles to drive on.
That is seen as a bit of concern,” added Cllr Kelly.
He said there will be teething problems but hopes in the long run the works will be a success.
“Once this one-way-system is up and running I do believe it will be a success. The traffic will be able to flow more naturally and it will address safety concerns that have been there for years.
“It is a work in progress and there will be teething problems like there is with everything but we are hoping people can eventually see this as a great job for the town of Letterkenny.”
From speaking to bus companies that pick up and drop off pupils in the area Cllr Kelly said they are happy with the layout and expect that it will be a lot safer than the two-way system.
Asked when the works will be complete the Fianna Fáil councillor said the deadline was the end of August but said the worst case scenario is that they are running two weeks behind schedule. He said the contractor will this week be resurfacing the roads and relaying tarmac.
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